Bumper



July 27; 1926.

J- CHRIS N210 BUMPER Filed Dec. 14, 1925 m f w W a a a I as) Patented July 27, 192,6.

UNITED STATES JOHN CHRISTINZIO, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

BUMPER.

Application filed. December 14, 1925. Serial No. 75,393.

This invention relates to improvements in bumpers for use upon vehicles such as automobiles, street cars, boats and the like, and has for its principal object to provide a highly novel and simple means for absorbing the shock incident to a collision between i the vehicle on which the bumper is mounted,

and anether object.

Ano her important object is to provide a bumper which includes a means for utilizing steam-compressed-air and fluid pressure in connection with the reciprocatory piston which is operable within a stationary cylinder, additional means being'provided for regulating the flow of the fluid employed into either end of the cylinder on opposite sides of the piston. A further object is to provide a bumper of the above mentioned character which is simple inrconstruction, inexpensive, strong and durable and further well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will .become apparent during the course of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing. In the accompanying drawing wherein like numerals designate like parts through the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the bumper embodying my invention showing the same associated with the bow of a. boat.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the cylinder, showin the piston and the piston rod as well as t is impact re ceiving member on the forward outer end of the piston rod.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the impact receiving member, and

Figure 1 is a fragmentary detail partly in elevation and partly in section of the means for regulating the flow of the fluid to the cylinder.

In the drawing, wherein forthe purpose of illustration isshown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates the elongated cylinder, the same being provided at its open forward end with the screw threaded closure 2. For the purpose of supporting the casing or cylinder in a stationary rigid position, there is formed on the bottom of the cylinder the projection 3, and the cylinder rests on a suitable mount or support t, and is furthermamtained thereon a ainst displacement therefrom by any suit "1e fastening screws or the like,

shown at 5 which extend through openings provided therefor in the support 4 and are threaded into the respective projections 3. In the present instance, the device is shown as associated with the bow of a boat A, although it is to be understood that the present invention may be used upon other vehicles such as automobiles, street cars and the like.

The closure 2 provided for the open forward end of the cylinder 1 tapers gradually toward its'outer end and extends through the suitable opening therefor in the bow of the boat as shown more clearly in Figure 1. The outer reduced end portion of the closure 2 provides a suitable bearing for the elongated piston rod which is adapted for slida 1e movement through the closure, and as is shown more clearly in Figure 2, a suitable packing 7 is associated with the reduced end of the closure and cooperates with the slidable piston rod in any suitable manner well known in the art. The usual packing nut 8 is also provided.

The piston 9 which is secured on the in ner end of the piston rod 6 is adapted for reciprocatory movement within the cylinder 1. or further positioning the piston rod within the cylinder 1 there is provided the guide 10.

The impact receiving member is indicated generally at 11, the same comprising the substantially rectangular shaped base 12 which may be formed of wood orany other suitable material, and extending from the rear face of the base are a pair of spaced ears 13, between which is interposed the head 14 formed on the forward outer end of the piston rod 6 and thepivot pin 15 extends through the ears 13 and the head 14 for pivotally securing the impact receiving member on the forward end of the piston rod.

For the purpose of preventing the impact receiving member injuring the object with kind of material which may be employed as a guard for cooperation with the base board of the impact receiving member. In order that the impact receiving member may be maintained in its normal vertical position against swinging movement so as to at all times hold the device in an operative position, there is provided on the rear face of the base 12 a counter-balance or weight 17.

Cooperating with the cylinder 1 are the fluid delivery pipes 18 and 19 respectively. The forward end of the delivery pipe 18 communicates with the forward end of the cylinder 1, while the forward end of the other delivery pipe 19 communicates with the rear end of the cylinder. A check valve of any well known construction is associated with the forward ends of the res ective delivery pipes to prevent the back ow of the fluid therethrough, and these check valves are indicated generally at 20.

The rear ends of the pipes18 and 19 extend into the forward end of the chamber 21, and as is shown more clearly in Figure 4, the rear ends of the pipes are disposed in vertical alignment and are spaced with respect to each-"other and are furthermore cut off at an angle, the purpose of which will be presently apparent.

The chamber 21 has communication with a fluid pressure supply tank 22 through the medium of the supply pipe 23. This pipe has its forward end extending into the rear end, of the, chamber 21, as also shown more clearly in Figure 4. The fluid used is preferably compressedv air, although steam or water may also be used if so desired.

Arranged within the chamber 21 is the valve 24, the same being secured at its rear end on a suitable rocker shaft. 25, which extends-transversely through the'sides of the .rear portion of the chamber 21. An operating lever 26 is secured at its lower end to one end of the rocker shaft for actuating forwardly 'in the cylinder and simultaneously moving the piston rod and the impactreceivingmember carried on the forward end thereof-outwardly.

'Manifestly, by actuating the lever 26, the valve 24 is moved out of engagement with the inlet end ofthe pipe 18 and is moved into closed cooperation with the inlet end of the other delivery plpe 3.9 as" shown in jected in the forward end of the cylinder,

thus providing suflicient pressure in the forward end of the cylinder to effect the rearward movement of the piston and simultaneously move the impact receiving member inwardly toward the vehicle.

It is of course to be understood that suitable bleeds or exhaust valves such as are shown at 27 are provided at the forward and rear ends respectively of the cylinder in order to release any desired amount of pressure from the cylinder. The provision of the manually actuated valve enables the pressure in the cylinder to be regulated so as to insure the proper operation of the piston and the impact receiving member operatively connected therewith.

A bumper of the above mentioned character may be readily and easily installed on any vehicle without necessitating material alterations, and when attached, will absorb the shocks incident to collisions between the vehicle on which the bumper is mounted and other objects thus providing a safety device.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. 7

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is 1. A bumper comprising a cylinder, a

piston operable therein, a piston rod attached at its rear end to the piston, the forward end thereof extending outwardly of the forward end of the cylinder, an impact receiving member pivotally supported on the forward endof the piston rod, means for maintaining theimpact receiving member in its normal vertical position, said means comprising a weight attached to the lower portion of the impact receiving member.

-2. A bumper comprising a cylinder, a pis ton operable therein, a piston rod attached at its rear end to the piston, the forward end of the rod extending outwardly of the forward end of the cylinder, impact receiving members supported on the forward end of the piston rod, means for effecting the sliding movement of the piston, in the cylinder, said means comprising a pair of fluid pressure delivery pipes communicating at their forward ends with the forward and rear ends respectively of the cylinder, and exhaust valves at the forwardand rear. ends respectively of the cylinder.

3. A bumper comprising in combination, a cylindena piston operable therein, a piston rod attached at its rear. end to the piston, the forward end of the piston rod extending outwardly of. the forward end of the cylin: der, an impact receiving member secured on the forward end of the piston rod, a fluid pressure supply tank, a chamber, a supply pipe between the vsupply tank and said chamber, a pair of delivery pipes, the forward ends thereof communicating with the forward and rear ends respectively of the cylinder, the rear ends of said delivery ipes extending into the chamber, an ex aust valye at each end of'the cylinder, and means for controlling the su either of the delivery pipes.

4. A bumper comprislng in combination, a cylinder, a piston operable therein, a piston rod attached at its rear end to the piston, theforward end of the piston rod extending outwardly of the forward end of the pply of the fluid to" cylinder, an impact receiving member secured on the forward end of the piston rod,

forward ends thereof communicating with the forward and rear ends respectively of the cylinder, the rear ends of said delivery pipes extending into the chamber, an exhaust valve at each' end of thecylinder, means for'controlling the supply of the fluid to either of the delivery pipes, said last mentioned means comprising a pivoted valve arranged within the casing and adapted for cooperation with the rear ends of the re-' spective delivery pipes which extend into the chamber.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN CHRISTINZIO. 

